Yes, when believers sin, Jesus Christ acts as their advocate before the Father, defending them under His blood.
According to 1 John 2:1, John addresses believers, telling them not to sin, but if they do, they have an advocate with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous. Les Feldick explains that this advocate is like a legal mouthpiece or attorney who immediately comes to the believer's defense when Satan accuses them, declaring they are under the blood and forgiven. This assurance is not a license to sin but provides security for those who belong to Christ.
1 John 2:1 — Directly states that if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
In 1 John 2:1, the Apostle John writes to believers, 'My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' This verse is addressed to those who are already believers, not to the unsaved world. It instructs them not to sin, but acknowledges that they will sin, and provides the promise of an advocate. Furthermore, 1 John 2:2 continues, 'And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.' The term 'propitiation' refers to Christ's sacrifice that satisfies God's wrath and covers sins. This demonstrates that Christ's work is sufficient for all, but believers specifically have Him as their advocate.
Les Feldick emphasizes that when a believer sins, Jesus Christ, the righteous One, acts as their advocate or legal mouthpiece before the Father. He pictures Satan accusing the believer before God, and Jesus immediately responds, 'He's under the blood. I've purchased him. He's mine.' This defense is based on the believer's position under the shed blood of Christ, similar to Israel in Egypt protected by the blood on the doorposts. Les also clarifies that this assurance does not give license to sin. God's first choice is that believers do not sin, but knowing human weakness, He provides an advocate. The moment a believer sins, they are to simply confess, not beg for forgiveness, because their sins are already forgiven in Christ. He also connects the concept of advocate with propitiation, noting that Christ is both the advocate and the propitiation for sins, not only for believers but for the whole world.
According to 1 John 2:1, the advocate is 'Jesus Christ the righteous.' Les Feldick describes this advocate as a 'legal mouthpiece' or attorney who represents the believer before the Father. When Satan accuses a believer, Jesus immediately points out that the believer is under the blood and has been purchased by Him. This is a direct answer to the question of who provides defense for believers when they sin.
Les Feldick explains that being 'under the blood' refers to the protection believers have through Christ's sacrificial death. He draws a parallel to Israel in Egypt, where those with blood on the doorposts were safe from the death angel. In the same way, believers who are under Christ's blood are protected from condemnation. This is not a license to sin but a security that ensures believers are not separated from God.
Les Feldick strongly denies that God's grace gives a license to sin. In 1 John 2:1, John writes 'that ye sin not,' reflecting God's first choice. Les emphasizes that believers are to be constantly on guard against sin, and that true believers do not deliberately plan to sin. The provision of an advocate is for when believers do sin, not as an excuse to sin freely.
Blood Protection in Egypt
Les compares believers under Christ's blood to Israel in Egypt, who were safe from the death angel because the blood was on the door.
Advocate as Legal Mouthpiece
Les explains that Jesus is our advocate, an attorney who defends us before the Father when Satan accuses us, saying we are under the blood.
Advocate as Intercessor
Les shows that all three persons of the Trinity intercede for believers; specifically, Jesus Christ the Righteous is our advocate when we sin.
Jesus Defends Against Accusation
Les describes Jesus as our attorney who immediately comes to our defense when Satan accuses us, declaring that the believer is under the blood and forgiven.
Believers Are Not Exempt from Sin
Les affirms that believers are still subject to sin and must be on guard, but they have an advocate when they sin.
Confession and Forgiveness
Les teaches that when believers sin, they need to confess, but they do not have to beg for forgiveness because their sins are already forgiven in Christ.
God's Desire for No Sin
Les emphasizes that God's first choice is that believers do not sin, but He knows they will because of human weakness, so He provides an advocate.
Propitiation for All
Les highlights that Christ is the propitiation for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world, not just believers.
1 John 2:1: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
This verse directly introduces the concept of Jesus as our advocate when believers sin.
1 John 2:2: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
This verse describes Jesus as the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, for our sins and the world's.
When believers sin, Jesus Christ acts as their advocate, or legal defender, before God the Father. He presents the believer's case, reminding the Father that they are under His shed blood and forgiven, so they are not subject to condemnation. This provides assurance but not license to sin.
No, the advocate is for believers only. In 1 John 2:1, John addresses 'my little children,' referring to those who already believe. The unsaved do not have Christ as their advocate; they face God's wrath without that defense.
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